UN Judge Convicted of Exploiting Young Woman as Slave in the UK

A United Nations judge named Lydia Mugambe, aged 49, has faced conviction in the UK for exploiting a vulnerable young woman by forcing her into slavery-like conditions. Prosecutors accused Mugambe, who also holds the role of High Court judge in Uganda, of abusing her authoritative position over the victim. Specifically, she prevented the victim from obtaining proper employment, compelled her to perform domestic chores without payment, and made her provide childcare without any remuneration.

The court case concluded on Thursday at Oxford Crown Court, with Mugambe found guilty on several charges. These charges included conspiracy related to breaching UK immigration laws, facilitating travel with the intent of exploitation, forcing someone into unpaid labor, and conspiring to intimidate a witness. Prosecutor Caroline Haughey strongly condemned Mugambe's actions, stating in the trial that the judge had taken cruel advantage of the young woman's ignorance regarding her own employment rights and had deceived her regarding her true reasons for traveling to the UK.

Jurors believed the prosecution's argument that Mugambe engaged in serious dishonesty alongside John Leonard Mugerwa, Uganda’s deputy high commissioner. Together, they orchestrated a scheme to facilitate the victim’s entry into the UK under false pretenses. Their arrangement allegedly involved Mugerwa securing an entry sponsorship from the Ugandan High Commission for the exploited woman in exchange for Mugambe utilizing her influence to communicate with a judge who was connected to a legal dispute involving Mugerwa.

It emerged during the trial that Mugambe's underlying motive was to secure help for herself in maintaining her household and childcare duties at minimal cost. Mugambe herself denied the accusations, claiming she had always treated the young woman lovingly, patiently, and kindly.

However, the victim, a young Ugandan woman who legally cannot be publicly identified, expressed distress and loneliness. Restricted working hours left her feeling isolated and trapped in an unfamiliar country, circumstances that created profound psychological stress.

Notably, Mugambe's appointment to the judicial roster of the United Nations occurred as recently as May 2023, just three months after local police responded to the initial complaint at her residence in Oxfordshire.